Pura Belpré Award
Owned by the UMD Library with Abstract

The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. It is co-sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking (REFORMA), an ALA affiliate.

It has been given every other year since 1996. Beginning with the 2009 award, it will be given annually.

2015

Narrative Award: Agosín, Marjorie. (2014). I lived on Butterfly Hill. (Illustrated by Lee White; translated by E.M. O'Connor). New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

When her beloved country, Chile, is taken over by a militaristic, sadistic government, Celeste is sent to America for her safety and her parents must go into hiding before they "disappear."

"One morning before school, some girl tells Piddy Sanchez that Yaqui Delgado hates her and wants to kick her ass. Piddy doesn't even know who Yaqui is, never mind what she's done to piss her off. Word is that Yaqui thinks Piddy is stuck-up, shakes her stuff when she walks, and isn't Latin enough with her white skin, good grades, and no accent. And Yaqui isn't kidding around, so Piddy better watch her back. At first Piddy is more concerned with trying to find out more about the father she's never met and how to balance honors courses with her weekend job at the neighborhood hair salon. But as the harassment escalates, avoiding Yaqui and her gang starts to take over Piddy's life. Is there any way for Piddy to survive without closing herself off or running away?" -- from publisher's web site.

Lucha Libre champion Niño has no trouble fending off monstrous opponents, but when his little sisters awaken from their naps, he is in for a no-holds-barred wrestling match that will truly test his skills.

Fifteen-year-old Ari Mendoza is an angry loner with a brother in prison, but when he meets Dante and they become friends, Ari starts to ask questions about himself, his parents, and his family that he has never asked before.

A fictionalized biography of the Nobel Prize-winning Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, who grew up a painfully shy child, ridiculed by his overbearing father, but who became one of the most widely-read poets in the world.

The author describes Christmas at his grandmother's apartment in Spanish Harlem the year she introduced him to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Diego Velazquez's portrait of Juan de Pareja, which has had a profound and lasting effect on him.

After his family hires migrant Mexican workers to help save their Vermont farm from foreclosure, eleven-year-old Tyler befriends the oldest daughter, but when he discovers they may not be in the country legally, he realizes that real friendship knows no borders.

Children read aloud in various settings to celebrate of El diŽa de los nin~os, or Children's Day, in this bilingual story. Includes facts about Mexico's annual celebration of children and the book fiestas that are often included.

Cuba has fought three wars for independence, and still she is not free. This history in verse creates a lyrical portrait of Cuba. The names of the flowers, 1850-51 -- The Ten Years War, 1868-78 -- The Little War, 1878-80 -- The War of Independence, 1895-98 -- The surrender tree, 1898-99.

Juan Francisco Manzano was born in 1797 into the household of wealthy slaveowners in Cuba. He spent his early years at the side of his owner’s wife, entertaining her friends. His poetry was his outlet, reflecting the beauty and cruelty of his world. Written in verse.

Sofia grows up in the close-knit community of the barrio in McAllen, Texas, then finds that her experiences as a scholarship student at an Episcopal boarding school in Austin only strengthen her ties to family and her "comadres."

Illustration Award: Mora, Pat. (2005). Doña Flor : a tall tale about a giant woman with a great big heart. (Illustrated by Raul Colón). New York : Knopf. PRIM-FIC M827do

Doña Flor, a giant lady with a big heart, sets off to protect her neighbors from what they think is a dangerous animal, but soon discovers the tiny secret behind the huge noise.

2004

Narrative Award: Alvarez, Julia. (2002). Before we were free. New York : A. Knopf. INTR-FIC A473be

In the early 1960s in the Dominican Republic, twelve-year-old Anita learns that her family is involved in the underground movement to end the bloody rule of the dictator, General Trujillo.

In this version of a traditional tale, Senor Calavera arrives at Grandma Beetle’s door, ready to take her to the next life, but after helping her count, in English and Spanish, as she makes her birthday preparations, he changes his mind.

Esperanza and her mother are forced to leave their life of wealth and privilege in Mexico to go work in the labor camps of Southern California, where they must adapt to the harsh circumstances facing Mexican farm workers on the eve of the Great Depression.

Illustration Award: Soto, Gary. (2000). Chato and the party animals. (Illustrated by Susan Guevara). New York : Putnam.
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Chato decides to throw a "pachanga" for his friend Novio Boy, who has never had a birthday party, but when it is time to party, Novio Boy cannot be found.

2000

Narrative Award: Ada, Alma Flor. (1998). Under the royal palms : a childhood in Cuba. New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 921 A191a

Twelve stories about young people caught between their Puerto Rican heritage and their American surroundings. Day in the barrio -- Bad influence -- Arturo’s flight -- Beauty lessons -- Catch the moon -- An hour with Abuelo -- The one who watches -- Matoa’s mirror -- Don Jose of La Mancha -- Abuela invents the zero -- A job for Valentin -- Home to El Building -- White balloons.